Donoghue: Tiger Roll is better than ever and will come alive again next spring

Tiger Roll's jockey Keith Donoghue says Friday's Cheltenham comeback has set the tone for another successful season, with a return to the course next month very much on the agenda for the Grand National hero.

Giving 15lb to Josies Order in Cheltenham's first cross-country race of the season proved a bridge too far for Tiger Roll but the way he picked up when reaching the racecourse proper thrilled Donoghue.

Donoghue said: "This is not his time of year so for him to run the way he did was very encouraging. He had to give weight to everything and he won't have to do that in March.